Even if you are one of those who discounts the save as a bad statistic, consider this: The Brewers are 21-2 in games Hoffman has pitched this season; the Yankees are 25-5 when Rivera is summoned. Since the point of the exercise is to win, those fine numbers mean something to me.

In a trivial quirk, Hoffman also has an edge in career RBIs, 5-1, even after Rivera celebrated the first of his career after drawing a bases-loaded walk from Francisco Rodriguez (who has 228 saves at age 27, and still going strong -- but that's another post). Hoffman, a former infielder, has 35 career plate appearances to Rivera's three.

Rivera has 34 postseason saves to Hoffman's 4. Both have already pitched their way into the Hall of Fame, it's just a matter of when they will be eligible for voting.

Thanks to colleague Nick Leyva on the sports desk for suggesting this post.

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